If you’re a football fan and you’ve never been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, it’s a pilgrimage you really need to make. Whether you plan to go for the induction ceremony weekend, when there are all kinds of Hall of Fame players and coaches roaming the grounds and lots of parties and great activities going on, or you just stop in any other time of the year, it’s an experience that isn’t forgotten. There are all kinds of inter-active games for fans of all ages, and the NFL Films Theater is not to be missed. The last time I was there one of the Hall’s many friendly workers put on a display of some of their lost treasure items, including some wiring for the heating system from below Lambeau Field that had been turned off the morning of the 1967 NFL Championship game, which then created the conditions that brought on the “Ice Bowl” game, and an elevator sign salvaged from Pittsburgh’s demolished Three Rivers Stadium. The story behind that sign was that Steelers owner Art Rooney was in the elevator headed down to the locker room to console the players for a tough playoff loss to Oakland, just as the “Immaculate Reception” play involving Franco Harris was happening, giving the Steelers an improbable win. I was astonished to hear that the Hall at any given time is really only displaying about 7% of the items they have, and because of that it is a real “living museum”, constantly changing and offering fresh displays. It is most definitely a trip worth taking for any avid sports fan. Here are a few highlights in pictures of a couple of my visits:
My grandson Josh giving his “acceptance speech” at a HOF podium set up inside the building.
My grandsons and I posing with the Lombardi Trophy.
My younger grandson Connor really thought this display of Red Grange was coming out to run over him and wanted to “make the tackle”.
